I think I would put effort into not parking uncoupled. It's a good way to get your shit stolen. If you anticipate doing so you may want to find a lock for the coupler and some sort of wheel lock.
They will use your safety chains to drag the unit far enough to figure out the coupler, or just toss your stuff into their own truck.
Your confidence will grow. Remember there are damned few places that are not in some manner serviced by semi-trucks every week.
----------The weather is here I wish you were beautiful----------
June 03, 2018, 03:12 PM
doublesharp
quote:
If you anticipate doing so you may want to find a lock for the coupler and some sort of wheel lock.
Great advice and get a really good lock that covers the open area where the ball goes, not just a lock that keeps the coupler release lever from being lifted. Thieves around here will put a long bolt sticking straight up in their tow bar and then just rest the ball opening on the bolt and drive away.
________________________ God spelled backwards is dog
June 03, 2018, 05:27 PM
konata88
I'll look into wheel locks that clamp over the lug nuts. Or get keyed nuts.
I do have a coupler lock - one that acts like a pin lock and one that goes into the socket.
But as I was assembling the trailer, it seems like it's very easy to just remove the coupler and put a new one on. And then just drive away. Just two bolts w/ a power drill and a new coupler could be installed in 2 minutes and the locks still in place on the coupler?
Even with the trailer on the truck, if the coupler bolts are the weak points, then maybe it's best if I try to block the trailer (using walls, light posts, cars, my truck, etc) rather than with locks?
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
June 03, 2018, 06:23 PM
sigcrazy7
Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus
June 03, 2018, 07:27 PM
konata88
quote:
Originally posted by sigcrazy7: [FLASH_VIDEO]<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/33U650u8nGQ" width="560"></iframe>[/FLASH_VIDEO]
That was me in the parking lot yesterday.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
June 03, 2018, 08:50 PM
ontmark
This helped me many years ago.
Turn the bottom of the steering wheel the direction you want the trailer to go.
Beware the man who only has one gun. He probably knows how to use it! - John Steinbeck
June 04, 2018, 04:48 PM
muddle_mann
quote:
Originally posted by konata88: Well, I finally got my trailer assembled (made in USA except for non-critical parts like the coupler, leaf spring and wheels).
Took it on the road for the first time - my first ever experience towing a trailer. Mostly, it went well. No issues driving, turning, 3 point turn.
One issue. I get the concept on how to do it. But in practice, it was very difficult for me to reverse park the trailer in a parking lot (I used an empty lot). It took me about 5 minutes of going back and forth. I'm going to need a lot more practice parking the trailer in a typical lot. Parking has been probably my biggest concern with towing a trailer. I'm going to guess that drive through parking (drive straight into a parking spot that allows for both car and trailer and then continue to drive straight when leaving the parking spot) will be rare.
Heard that if you place your hand upside down (palm up) at the 6 o'clock position on the steering wheel then just turn in the direction you want the trailer goes works.